Quiz: Howstuffworks

Are You Fluent in Beauty Slang?

Jane Andrews

Image: Halfpoint Images / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Are you obsessed with makeup and super savvy about skin care? Are your nails always on fleek? Do you know exactly what to tell your hairstylist when you head to the salon for a cut and color? Just like French, Spanish or Portuguese, the beauty world has a language that's all its own, and not everyone knows how to use it.

If you think you're fluent in beauty speak — those terms you see hashtagged on Instagram and YouTube and hear makeup artists and beauty vloggers throw around — now's your chance to prove it. This quiz covers the language of today's top beauty insiders and will test your knowledge of all of the latest lingo, from esthetic procedures and makeup techniques (quick preview — do you know what floating eyeliner is?) to manicures, face masks and hairstyling slang. If you live for YouTube tutorials (or make them yourself) and love being in the know about lipstick shades, eyeshadow looks and contouring tricks, we have a feeling you'll breeze through the following 35 beauty-full questions.

Who knows? You just may have what it takes to be the next big-time beauty blogger, YouTube celeb or Instagram star. Are you ready to test your skills and find out?

GMint / E+ / Getty Images

When you use contrasting shades of makeup to enhance and define facial features, what technique are you using?

Contouring

Feathering

Draping

Foiling

While professional makeup artists have used the contouring technique for decades, it became a huge DIY trend in early 2010 thanks to its popularity among the Kardashian sisters and online beauty influences.

Innocenti / Cultura / Getty Images

Do you know what a cut crease is?

A short, spiky hairstyle

An eye makeup technique

A type of face mask

A contouring trick

A cut create is a popular eye makeup technique that involves using different shades of eyeshadow to create a sharp, definable line across the eyelid. It creates a bold, dramatic look and brings extra attention to the eyes.

Irina Marwan / Moment / Getty Images

If you've "hit pan," what have you done?

You've found your perfect shade of powder foundation.

You've exfoliated your entire body with a special scrub.

You've run out of a powder makeup such as eyeshadow or blush.

You've mixed two shades of foundation.

When you reach the bottom of an eyeshadow, blush or other type of powder makeup, the case it's contained in will usually start to peek through. This is when you've "hit pan" and know it's time to restock the shade.

svetikd / E+ / Getty Images

Can you tell us where your waterline is?

The crease between your lips at the corner of the mouth

The rim where your eyelid meets your eye

The area just under your nose

It's another word for hairline.

While there are a number of makeup techniques that call for eyeliner to be applied directly to the upper or lower waterline, you need to be very careful when applying so as not to irritate the eye or cause infection. Use only dry eyeliner pencils and make sure the formula is waterproof.

LaylaBird / E+ / Getty Images

Having virgin hair means which of the following things?

Your hair has never been colored or chemically treated.

You've never styled your hair with heating tools.

Your hair has never been cut.

You have no gray hair.

If your locks have never been dyed, permed, relaxed, bleached or treated with any other type of chemical formula, you have virgin hair. The same is true of extensions that are labeled as virgin — it means they are made of real human hair (not synthetic) that hasn't been colored or processed.

Christine Schneider / Cultura / Getty Images

When a nail polish is 3-free, what does that mean?

The formula dries in three minutes.

The formula takes three minutes to remove.

The formula is free of three specific ingredients that are thought to be toxic.

The formula is available in three shades.

Nail polishes that are labeled "3-free" do not contain formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate or toluene. There are also brands that offer 5-free polishes, which remove camphor and formaldehyde resin, as well.

Xuanyu Han / Moment / Getty Images

Do you know what the term co-washing means?

To do your laundry with a friend while sharing beauty tips

To wash your face with two types of cleaners

To wash your hair with two different types of shampoo

To wash your hair with conditioner only

Because most shampoos contain harsh cleansing agents that can strip the hair of moisture, co-washing is a great way to minimize dryness and keep your locks free of frizz. It works best for people with normal to dry hair — if your hair is naturally oily, you'll probably need to use a shampoo at least once a week to keep it fresh and clean.

Halfpoint Images / Moment / Getty Images

Strobing has become very popular in the last few years. Do you know what it is?

A makeup application technique

A hair highlighting technique

A Korean skin care technique

A manicure technique

Strobing is a highlighting technique similar to contouring, except it's focused on accentuating facial features by adding shades of light to specific areas of the face such as the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose and the cupid's bow.

GlobalStock / E+ / Getty Images

If you're a part of the "no poo" movement, what do you do?

Use a teaspoon of shampoo

Replace shampoo with alternate hair cleaners

Replace commercial conditioners with essential oils

Use the poop emoji in bad product reviews 💩

People who go "no poo" (short for "no shampoo") use a wide variety of alternatives to cleanse their hair, including baking soda, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, clay powder and dry shampoo. Some people ditch cleansers altogether and use only water to wash their hair.

Gilaxia / E+ / Getty Images

When you foil eye shadow, what are you doing?

Dusting it with powder to help keep the color in place

Muting the color by applying primer on top

Moistening it before applying the color to the lid

Adding glitter to it before applying the color to the lid

Shadow that's foiled has a shiny, metallic look that's perfect for making a statement. To prepare it, mix a pigmented eye shadow shade with primer, water or makeup spray, and stir until it has a thickness similar to paint.

mikroman6 / Moment / Getty Images

Long nails filed into a sharp, triangular point are called what?

Squoval

Pointed

Pierced

Stiletto

Typically created with false nails applied to the natural nail tip, stiletto nails are fierce and flashy. They often feature creative, out-of-the-box nail polish designs and bright, eye-catching colors.

sturti / E+ / Getty Images

What do beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) do for your skin?

Deliver intensive moisture

Even skin tone, smooth fine lines and clear pores

Minimize dark under-eye circles

Plump and firm the skin

Beta hydroxy acids are chemical exfoliants that dissolve oil and help remove dead skin cells. One of the most well-known types is salicylic acid, which is an ingredient commonly found in washes and creams designed for acne-prone skin.

PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images

If you're about to "bake" your face, what are you going to do?

Expose it to the sun without wearing SPF

Let loose powder sit and soak into your skin for a few minutes to help set your foundation

Apply foundation to bare, unmoisturized skin

Intentionally wear a foundation that doesn't match your skin tone

In addition to using the heat from your face to help set your liquid foundation, this technique creates a smooth, creaseless finish that doesn't get streaky, cakey or call out large pores.

Eva-Katalin / E+ / Getty Images

Do you know what dermal fillers are?

A type of injectable cosmetic skin care treatment

A special primer used to fill pores

A special cream used to minimize facial scarring

A type of extreme plastic surgery

Temporary dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring molecule in the skin. The injections are used to make skin look smoother, softer and plumper, and typically last from six to 12 months.

PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images

How about threading?

A hair-cutting method

A facial that involves intensive exfoliation

A type of manicure

An eyebrow-shaping technique

Having your eyebrows threaded is essentially like getting multiple eyebrow hairs tweezed at one time. The process pulls hairs from the follicle, row by row, via a piece of string. It tends to be less irritating to the skin than waxing, which is one of the reasons why it's such a popular alternative.

Kevin Vandenberghe / Moment / Getty Images

There's a makeup technique that involves applying eyeliner to the upper waterline. Do you know what it's called?

Waterlining

Airlining

Toplining

Tightlining

Tightlining is an eyeliner technique that creates a subtle line while also making the lashes appear fuller and thicker. Also referred to as invisible eyeliner, it's a great way to give your eyes natural-looking definition.

Jacob Wackerhausen / E+ / Getty Images

You've probably heard of BB and CC creams, but do you know what DD creams do?

Short for “Dynamic Do-All," “Daily Defense" or "Dermatologically Defining," DD creams do it all. They're designed to deliver the many anti-aging skin care benefits of BB cream while also covering imperfections, reducing redness and evening out skin tone.

Gilaxia / E+ / Getty Images

In the world of makeup, what's a dupe?

A product that has been previously used but is in good condition

A less expensive product that's almost identical to its high-end counterpart

A high-end product that isn't worth the money

A product endorsed by a celebrity

Short for "duplicate," a dupe is an affordable knock-off of a high-end piece of makeup such as a lipstick, bronzer, blush or foundation. If you Google "makeup dupes," you'll find a treasure trove of money-saving dupe suggestions from beauty bloggers and websites.

SDI Productions / E+ / Getty Imagese

What do you call a shampoo that's designed to remove buildup from the hair?

Conditioning shampoo

Clarifying shampoo

Volumizing shampoo

2-in-1 shampoo

Stronger than regular shampoo, clarifying shampoos remove the dirt, debris and other buildup left by things like styling products, dry shampoo and hard water. Because they have high pH levels that can strip and dry out the hair, so they should only be used once or twice a week.

PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images

Do you know what draping is?

A contouring technique that uses blush instead of a contouring powder

A special technique for applying under-eye concealer

A volumizing blow-drying technique

A layering hair-cutting technique

Because draping creates such a bold and dramatic look, it's very popular on the runway and the red carpet. It was also a popular look in the '70s and '80s, though it was called something else back then — color glow.

valentinrussanov / E+ / Getty Images

Sheet masks, ampules and essences are products that are part of which popular skin care trend?

CBD beauty

Vitamin C beauty

K-beauty

J-beauty

The K-beauty concept of skin care comes from Korea and focuses on creating a soft and dewy complexion via intensive hydrating products such as sheet masks, essences and ampules, the latter two of which are highly concentrated serums.

andresr / E+ / Getty Images

If someone says you have a "beat face," what do they mean?

Your makeup looks amazing.

Your makeup looks awful.

Your makeup is wearing off.

Your makeup is bleeding and smudging.

Don't be offended if someone says your face is beat — it's a compliment! While the term has recently become popular with Millennials and Gen Z'ers, it's been used for years in the beauty industry to describe makeup that's perfectly done.

svetikd / E+ / Getty Images

Non-touring is which of the following techniques?

A natural hair-lightening method

An exaggerated form of contouring

A body hair removal technique

A makeup application technique that creates a glowing, clean-looking complexion

Non-touring is essentially a highlighting technique that gives skin a fresh, no-makeup makeup look. Typically, non-toured looks are created using products like primers, tinted moisturizers, and cream or powder highlighters.

fotostorm / E+ / Getty Images

In the beauty industry, what does MUA stand for?

Makeup amateur

Makeup aficionado

Makeup airbrushing

Makeup artist

While MUA has been used for decades by industry professionals, the abbreviation has become more common over the last decade thanks to the advent of Instagram, Twitter and hashtags.

andresr / E+ / Getty Images

How would you define swatching?

It's a technique for applying foundation.

It's a method for testing makeup shades.

It's a texturizing technique for the hair.

It's a method for applying under-eye concealer.

Swatching is when you apply a small amount of a makeup product (such as foundation or eyeshadow) onto your arm or hand to test its shade and finish, and see what it looks like when against your skin tone.

Annie Engel / Cultura / Getty Images

When your best friend says they have to show you their latest haul, what are they talking about?

A collection of nail polish shades that are specific to a season

An injectable facial treatment such as Botox or fillers

A purchase of multiple makeup and beauty products from a single store

A hairstyle that's drastically different than what they had before

Beauty superstore chains such as Sephora, Ulta and Sally Beauty are ideal places to take home a major haul, as they carry a wide range of skincare products, hair care products and makeup from a variety of brands.

Andresr / E+ / Getty Images

If you ask your hair stylist for a dusting, what are you going to get?

Subtle highlights

An intensive conditioning treatment

A tiny trim

A dry cut

A dusting is essentially the tiniest trim you can get. It involves cutting off only the tips of the hair to remove split ends without it looking like the length of your hair has changed.

Irina Marwan / Moment / Getty Images

If your favorite beauty product is DC'ED, what does that mean?

It's been discontinued.

It's been reformulated.

It's been renamed.

It's expired.

There's nothing worse than learning that your favorite skin care product or shade of lipstick is no longer being made. Luckily, there are a number of websites devoted to tracking down DC'ED products — Google "discontinued makeup" to find them.

Christopher Robbins / DigitalVision / Getty Images

Do you know what microneedling is?

A plastic surgery procedure that permanently fills pores

A procedure for the scalp that helps stimulate hair growth

A laser hair removal technique

A facial procedure that rejuvenates the skin by piercing it with tiny needles

One of most popular and cost-effective forms of microneedling is called dermarolling, which involves rolling a tool over the face that's outfitted with hundreds of microscopic needles. When performed properly by an esthetician, the process can offer many benefits, such as plumper skin, faded acne scars and a reduction of wrinkles.

Izusek / E+ / Getty Images

If you ask for babylights at the salon, what are you getting?

Chunky highlights

Multicolored highlights

Fine, subtle highlights

A mixture of highlights and lowlights

To create babylights, a stylist applies color strategically to very thin wisps of hair around the head. The end result is a subtle shimmer of color that looks natural and grows out seamlessly.

PeopleImages / E+ / Getty Images

A Brazilian blowout is which of the following things?

A hair-straightening treatment

A blowout that leaves hair with loose, wavy curls

A blowout that leaves hair extra shiny via a gloss overlay

A dry hair conditioning technique

Also known as keratin straightening, this type of hair treatment keeps hair smooth and straight for a long period of time (typically 10 to 12 weeks). The process involves the application of a liquid keratin formula that coats the hair, seals the cuticle and adds shine.

Image Source / Image Source / Getty Images

How would you describe a French manicure?

A manicure with clear polish and no color

A manicure with white polish at the tip of each nail

A manicure featuring different shades of polish on each nail

A manicure with nail art featuring the Eiffel Tower

Despite its name, the French manicure did not originate in France. Reportedly, the style was conceived by 1970s Hollywood as a way to save time — because the versatile style did not clash with any color, movie actresses did not need to get their nails redone every time they changed costumes.

Adolescent Content / DigitalVision / Getty Images

Can you tell us what floating eyeliner is?

Eyeliner that's applied to the crease of the eyelid

Eyeliner that's only applied to the top lash line

Eyeliner that's only applied to the bottom lash line

Eyeliner that's applied with a special angled brush

The floating eyeliner look works well on hooded eyes because it creates a line that rests perfectly above the lashes when the eyes are closed. This adds the definition and depth that hooded eyes lack.

Blanchi Costela / Moment / Getty Images

If you stipple your foundation, what are you doing?

Applying it only to areas of the face that need coverage

Mixing it with a moisturizer or serum

Rubbing it together in both hands before applying

Applying it in small dots before blending

When you stipple your foundation with a stippling brush, the product is diffused in a way that creates a smooth, air-brushed finish. It's a great technique to use on acne-prone skin, as it lightly brushes foundation over scars and bumps, rather than along the sides.

Andersen Ross Photography Inc / DigitalVision / Getty Images

Can you explain what a diffuser is?

A hair dryer attachement

A type of makeup brush

A kind of highlighting powder

A shine-inducing hair spray

If you have curly hair, blow-drying it with a diffuser attachment can be extremely helpful. It helps minimize frizz by dispersing air in a way that's less rough on the delicate hair cuticle.

Sponsored Links

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Get smarter every day! Subscribe & get 1 quiz every week.

Playing quizzes is free! We send trivia questions and personality tests every week to your inbox. By
clicking "Sign Up" you are agreeing to our
privacy policy and confirming that you are 13
years old or over.